Stern is upset.....
ggm1976
Senior Member
It was the spurs decision to rest players, it's their team, they do what they want. Thank goodness this clown of a commish is steping down, he has rigged the league since day 1 when Knicks "won" the lottery in 84....
Comments
Stern's going to punish them? That's BS
F HIM
Bobby, they don't play this game for the fans. At least not the Spurs. Do they respect the fans, hell yes, but first and foremost they play this game to win the championship......That 7-game series in May or in June, THAT's what's important to them. This wasn't about the guys needing rest, even though it was their 4th-in-5 and 6th-in-9. This was about Popovich not wanting to show Spoelstra and LeBron how he was going to battle them come playoff time. It's a chess match for him early in the season. he knows his Spurs are going to make the playoffs anyway, so he uses these first couple of weeks to tinker with his line-ups. To see what works and what doesn't.
To wit: minutes played together by the starting 5:
OKC 230.4
CHI 183.0
SAS 103.6
Stern would be a hypocrite to levy any fines on them. There are no rules in play that say you can't rest your starters. It's common use for teams to rest them before the playoffs. If Popovich had known that it wasn't allowed (please show him the rule) he would not have rested them.
Give me a break. Obviously you don't see both sides of the argument. Pop has been doing this for YEARS, and nobody has said a word. Stern is just trying to make an example of them, because it cost the NBA ratings. It isn't Popovich's job to please the fans watching on television. Spurs fans are content, knowing that their team is successful EVERY YEAR. Not a single Spurs fan is bothered by what he did, because it has happened dozens of times. Spurs fans know that the division game Saturday against Memphis is the game that really matters to the team, not the game against the Heat. He knows his team will be in the playoffs, and could care less what seed they are, the regular season is second fiddle to the playoffs, because that is when games REALLY matter. Popovich is hands down the best and most successful coach in the league right now, and anyone who is second guessing him is a fool.
Things like that happen every year to almost every team. Its BS, but Pop said himself he had circled this day as a day to rest his big boys, it didn't matter the opponent.
Are you honestly trying to compare your profession and work schedule to that of an NBA player?
Bobby...in case for some reason you can't understand this...none of those player asked for a day off. Popovich told them to stay home. You can make up your version of the story if you like, but everyone else seems to be able to grasp the concept.
Quadrophenia Those boys can still bring it!
If I am a Spurs fan: Pop is doing the right thing and I am glad he rested our players. Additionally, I am glad he did it during the end of a long road trip in a game that would have been a tough win anyways.
If I am ESPN: I am pissed, this hits my ratings when people tune out after seeing the starting lineups.
If I am an advertiser I am pissed for the same reason as ESPN, less people are seeing my ads.
If I am myself: and I am in Miami on vacation for example and shell out big money to go to the game w my girlfriend IM FURIOUS. And dont tell me it was a good game. I wanna see the stars, AND a good game.
If Im Stern: Im pissed because my advertisers and corp sponsors are pissed. I am also mad on behalf of the casual fan who came to the game for his one time a year.
So obviously this depends on where you stand in the equation here, whichever party you are, you have the right to feel how you feel because you had some money tied up in the event.
I disagree,
Completely!
Actually, this shows that the league's strategy of making fans feel involved, cultivating stars, and branding the game is paying it's fruits. They (the league and thus the owners) want only one thing... your dollars. And they're fooling you big-time. In my opinion, David Stern as a basketball connaisseur knows what Pop did was the best thing for his team. But I also would like to bet that David called Popovich on beforehand and said: "Listen Greg, I understand your decision, but you're harming our marketing efforts. fans will feel alienated. I'm gonna have some though words on you in the press, I have to give these moneyshelling fans the idea that the NBA CARES (LOLOLOLOLOLOLLL$$$$$$$$$$) but nevermind, just be cool about it. It's all about the dollars. Don' tell anybody."
I mean, I bought a courtside seat in DET. $50.000 for the whole season,...and still they don't play my man Kim English. That's my man! KIM ENGLISH!!! I'm his biggest fan!! I bought the expensive seat, c'mon coach! play him already! PLAY HIM!!! It's all about me!! the FAN!!I'm important, isn't it!?! I can decide on these things, Isn't it?!?
ps. totally agree with machinegun above
You think Popovich fears miami? You don't have a clue. He is the best coach in the NBA. You aren't. This isn't the first time and it certainly won't be the last.
He made it more than clear he fears Miami. If you don't think so then you don't have a clue!!!!!! I am guessing his starters will play against all the scrub teams this year, but when they play a tough team and his players had to play a scrub team the day before they will all of a sudden need some "rest" They were afraid to play the best.
the best almost lost to the backups. LOL.
So you're telling me one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, with four titles, and 13 straight 50 wins seasons is suddenly afraid of a team with three stars and a terrible bench? Last time I checked he beat lebron in the finals, so he certainly isn't afraid of him. Like I've said repeatedly, pop has done this before. Its not the opponent, its the timing. You know how mant times he has rested Duncan on a back to back? Please keep telling me how I am the one who doesn't have a clue. Pay attention. This guy has excelled against EVERY team. He has zero reason to fear a team with ONE title. Hilarious.